This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Audio/Visual: sound, b&w
Keywords:

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

Individual Files

Write a review
Downloaded 1,761 times Reviews
Average Rating:

Reviewer: JSBejma - - February 11, 2012
Subject: This is Different!
A gut-wrenching story of a house fire started when a housewife with a squally baby has a hankerin for bacon and eggs RIGHT NOW! ]I guess] decides to fluff up the fire in the stove with some petroleum product.

One half glass more of 2 buck chuck and I'd a burst into tears! How would you like coming home in the morning after a nite with "uncle" so-and-so (no further comment there) to see your mom burned and your house up in flames. I only hope they had insurance and could afford to rebuild - and more importantly, equip that new kitchen with a modern Frigidaire stove that runs on natural gas or electric.....its 1954 for Chrissakes!

That was one huge wad of cotton candy on that stick, eh?

Reviewer: Christine Hennig - - June 7, 2006
Subject: Watch Those Vapors!
This 50s film was designed to warn farmers of the dangers of petroleum products and show them how to handle them safely. It starts at a county fair, where the local Farm Safety Committee, aided by the fire department, gives a speech and demonstration on petroleum products and their dangers. This is fun to watch, with lots of dramatic demonstrations of things burning and blowing up, feeling very much like an actual demonstration one might watch at a county fair. Then Jim, a teenager whose family house burned down when his mother unwisely poured kerosene on the fire of the wood-burning stove. This story, though typically tearjerking and dramatic, is actually well told enough to have some impact. It actually stirred some emotion from me, which is unusual for these types of safety films. I think itâs because they presented the tragedy in a straightforward and realistic fashion, pulling no punches, and avoiding scenery-chewing for the most part. Overall, this is a charming film which makes its points well and was probably effective for its intended audience.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.

Reviewer: Spuzz - - November 13, 2004
Subject: "Yes, I know the sign is burning!"
A fair is in full swing, rides! cotton candy! midway prizes! Until, a fire engine approaches! You know this is a small town fair, because EVERYONE takes notice. Don't worry, the fire engine is only being used to bring people to the Fire Petroleum demonstration. The host of this demonstration wows the audience with some pyro demos, bust mostly is somewhat dry. The real star of the show is Jim and his 'More Dangerous Than Dynamite' melodramatic story experience with petroleum. The story here is QUITE hoary, and jim winds up with tears, or oil, or something running down his cheeks. Just one solution I have for Jim! If only you cleaned up your yard! If only you fixed up your house! If only you used fire resistant paint! (See "The House In The Middle").
Highly reccomended!

Reviewer: lonestrikr - - November 11, 2004
Subject: Making Petroleum Products Safe for Farming
Film is Copyright 1954 American Petroleum Institute

Interesting film. Starts out at a carnival, where a fire engine drives around directing people to attend the SPECTACULAR Farm Safety Demonstration! The demonstration itself provides several dramatic illustrations of the results of unsafe practices with gasoline and kerosene, which are not to be missed. Good shot of the experimenter holding the spark generator under the surface of the gasoline to demonstrate that the liquid gasoline itself does not burn (the vapor does).

The second half of the film is the story of how a "farm safety committee" was formed in this community. It is the story of Jim Benson, and how his mother managed to set the farmhouse on fire by throwing kerosene into the (already burning) farm stove. It is not exactly made clear whether Jim's father didn't let Mom know that the stove was already started, but it would seem that if you're going to use kerosene to get the fire going, it would behoove you to check the stove to see if it's already lit!

Includes discussion of safe metal containers for storage of gasoline and kerosene -- red for gasoline, green for kerosene -- with spring covers to prevent spillage of liquid or vapor. (Today, the focus is on plastic containers, as metal can rust and can cause static electricity to spark from the container.) Also, there are no nozzles on these containers; apparently you just slosh the liquid fuel into the vehicle you're filling, being sure to "wait 5 or 10 minutes for the (spilled) gasoline to evaporate before you start the engine."

Best line in the movie: "If you're hurt or killed, it's not kerosene's fault -- it's yours!" Don't sue because you did something stupid. Instead, don't do stupid stuff in the first place. Haven't heard that a whole lot lately.